Memoir of Captain Edward Pelham Brenton, R. N., C. B. with sketches of his professional life, and exertions in the cause of humanity, as connected with the "Children's friend society,"

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Preface

In venturing to lay before the public an account of the life of a near and valued relative, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to offer my reasons for doing so, particularly as it was not his lot to attain either to high rank or distinction in his profession; but as my lamented brother has been known to his country, not only as an officer in the Royal Navy, but as an author, and more especially — as I trust I may say, without incurring the charge of presumption, — -as a philanthropist, (in which two last characters he has met with no small share of that censure from which

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those who have occupied any place in the public attention have seldom been exempt,) I feel it necessary to offer such explanations of his character and conduct, and such vindications of his motives and feelings, as my intimate knowledge of them enable me to do : and which may, and I hope will, have the effect of correcting the misrepresentations which have hitherto prevailed on subjects connected with my brother's life, and of placing him in that point of view before the public in which it was always his earnest wish and endeavour to stand.

With respect to his professional career, I have little to say : his opportunities of distinguishing himself were but few; but of these he zealously availed himself; and his reputation is well known to his brother officers, amongst whom he served. I have long hesitated as to the propriety of offering any observations of my own upon the subject of his life, nor do I think I should ever have been induced to do so,

PREFACE. Vll

but for the opposition the Children's Friend Society, of which he was the founder, has met with, and which has had so powerful an effect as to compel the benevolent and indefatigable managers to dissolve the institution. My great object in presenting this work to the public is to shew that the plan on which he acted was founded on the purest principles of true Christian charity, and free from any selfish or vainglorious motive, and that the charges made against the Society were totally groundless. This is already generally felt and acknowledged; and however unsuccessful his first efforts may have been in endeavouring to rescue the youthful poor from the state of degradation, misery, and crime in which such multitudes are involved, I have little doubt that they will be ultimately blessed far beyond his most sanguine expectations.

JAHLEEL BRENTON.

Casterton,

\Qth August, 1841.